After Qin Xiao's offer was made, everyone fell silent, not because they were intimidated by Qin Xiao, but because they all looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Qin Xiao, you haven't gone mad, have you? Does your Seven Stars Peak even have two hundred thousand Spirit Stones?"
Kang Zhengye was the first to mock him.
"Qin Xiao, don't be so reckless."
Sect Master Lin Tiancheng also spoke up to remind him; he knew the Seven Stars Peak's financial situation, and they certainly didn't have two hundred thousand Spirit Stones.
"Qin Xiao, this is not the place for your mischief. Sit down properly."
Grand Elder Yao Tiansheng also spoke.
This was just causing trouble; recklessly raising the price would only harm them, the Elders.
"Exactly, Qin Xiao, I seriously suspect you're just wildly inflating the price. Your Seven Stars Peak probably can't even produce a hundred Spirit Stones, let alone two hundred thousand. How about this, so no one says we Elders are bullying you: as long as you can produce a thousand Spirit Stones on the spot, I'll consider you eligible to participate."
Kang Zhengye quickly chimed in.
Because he knew that Qin Xiao probably couldn't even produce a hundred Spirit Stones. When the Seventh Elder died in battle, his body was swallowed by that Yao Beast, leaving absolutely nothing behind. How could Seven Stars Peak have any Family assets left?
"Exactly, I agree."
"I also agree. As long as you can produce a thousand Spirit Stones, we will acknowledge you."
"That's right, that's right. If he can't, then his offer doesn't count."
The other Elders also quickly echoed Kang Zhengye's words. After all, they couldn't just talk without substance; they had to actually put things out, unlike Qin Xiao, who, knowing he had no chance, deliberately inflated the price to trick people.
"Sect Master, can you bear witness? If I can produce a thousand Spirit Stones, then my offer will be valid?"
Qin Xiao ignored these Elders and instead asked Sect Master Lin Tiancheng.
"Yes, if you can produce them, then so be it. I imagine the Elders will not go back on their word."
Although Lin Tiancheng didn't know what Qin Xiao was planning, since the Elders and Qin Xiao had both said so, he couldn't say much more.
"Good, then I will produce Spirit Stones and let you see whether I have them or not."
After Qin Xiao finished speaking, he directly took out a thousand Spirit Stones from his System space and spread them on the ground in front of him.
"This is a thousand Spirit Stones, and this is also a thousand."
After Qin Xiao took out a thousand, he didn't stop, and then took out another thousand next to it.
"And here is another thousand."
After taking out two thousand Spirit Stones, Qin Xiao still didn't stop and took out another thousand, a total of three thousand Spirit Stones spread on the ground. Visually, it was indeed very intimidating.
"Esteemed Elders, do you still need me to continue producing more?"
The reason Qin Xiao took out three thousand Spirit Stones in one go was to bluff these Elders. He currently only had a little over four thousand, and if these Elders wanted to verify his assets, it would truly be troublesome.
"Where did you get so many Spirit Stones?"
Looking at the calm Qin Xiao, Kang Zhengye just couldn't understand. Seven Stars Peak should have no Family assets left, but Qin Xiao's demeanor didn't seem like he was bluffing.
"That is not for the Third Elder to worry about. This Disciple has his own methods. All Elders, please continue with your bids."
Qin Xiao said calmly and indifferently, with a composed expression.
He had to bluff; if he couldn't intimidate these old geezers, he would miss this rare Heavenly Spiritual Root.
"What is going on? Did the Seventh Elder not carry all his Family assets with him at the time?"
"No, that's not right. If the Seventh Elder had left behind Family assets, then Qin Xiao should have produced them when the Disciples of Seven Stars Peak left earlier, shouldn't he?"
"Could it be that the Seventh Elder hid them somewhere, and Qin Xiao only found them now?"
"Then how can we compete? That kid is bidding with all his possessions, while we still have to support the Disciples of an entire peak. We can't be as reckless as him."
Several Elders huddled together, whispering. Qin Xiao's move had indeed bluffed them.
It wasn't just the Elders who were bluffed; even Yun Man below the stage was a bit perplexed.
"Is this Seven Stars Peak perhaps not as bad as rumored? But why is this Peak Master still a mere Mortal?"
Yun Man hadn't considered Seven Stars Peak at first, but now she was a little confused.
She was originally a direct descendant of the Yun Family of Zhongzhou, but unexpectedly, there was a Family rebellion. Her parents and brother died in the struggle, and only she, being merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage, was not taken seriously by those in the Family, which gave her a chance to escape.
To evade pursuit, she fled to this remote Qingzhou, seeking a Sect to Cultivate in seclusion before returning for revenge. Therefore, she didn't care about Cultivation Techniques or Spiritual Artifacts. As a direct daughter of the Yun Family, her Family had already provided her with top-tier Cultivation Techniques and Magic Treasure-grade weapons. What she lacked now were Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills.
"Good lad, even if the Seventh Elder left you some Family assets, my Immortal Sword Peak is still not afraid. My Immortal Sword Peak offers two hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones. As long as you join my Immortal Sword Peak, two hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones worth of resources is just the beginning. This old man will additionally grant you five thousand Spirit Stones every month."
After discussion, the Elders finally reached a conclusion: they would all help the Grand Elder secure the Heavenly Spiritual Root, and the Grand Elder would compensate the other peaks later.
Although their respective peaks were all wealthy, they also had numerous Disciples. Fighting alone, they might not necessarily be able to compete with Qin Xiao, who was alone.
In this remote Qingzhou, to be able to offer such treatment already exceeded Yun Man's expectations. Yun Man also knew that Tian Yuan Sect was merely a third-grade Sect, and this price was already considered astronomical.
"Wait, my Seven Stars Peak offers three hundred thousand, and an additional ten thousand every month."
Seeing that Yun Man was somewhat moved, Qin Xiao quickly spoke up to raise the price.
"Qin Xiao, this old man now suspects that you cannot afford the price at all and are deliberately inflating it."
Even Grand Elder Yao Tiansheng, who usually had a good temper, was a bit angry now.
He wasn't afraid of raising the price, but his price increase came at a cost. The higher the bid, the higher the compensation he would have to give to the other Peak Masters. He was unwilling to let his Immortal Sword Peak fall into a predicament just because of Qin Xiao's reckless price increases.
"Grand Elder, if you can raise the price, then do so. If not, then this Disciple will join my Seven Stars Peak."
Qin Xiao did not directly answer Yao Tiansheng's words; he truly couldn't produce that many Spirit Stones right now.
"This old man offers three hundred and fifty thousand."
Yao Tiansheng didn't engage in further verbal sparring with Qin Xiao but gritted his teeth and added fifty thousand.
"I offer four hundred thousand."
Qin Xiao was not afraid and immediately added another fifty thousand, directly raising it to four hundred thousand.
"Four hundred and fifty thousand."
This was Yao Tiansheng's last bid. If he raised it any further, his Immortal Sword Peak would also find it a bit difficult to bear. Future Cultivation still required many resources; this was not a one-time transaction, so he also had his concerns.
"Five hundred thousand."
Qin Xiao didn't care about all that; a Disciple with a Heavenly Spiritual Root, no matter how many Spirit Stones it cost, he had to secure her.
"This old man's limit is four hundred and fifty thousand. What if you offer fifty thousand more? Does your Seven Stars Peak have famous mentors to guide her? Does it have Advanced Cultivation Techniques? The value of these things cannot be compared to fifty thousand Spirit Stones."
Yao Tiansheng saw that Qin Xiao still looked calm and knew that continuing to raise the price wouldn't resolve anything. Moreover, he was afraid that Qin Xiao might suddenly stop bidding, which would leave his Immortal Sword Peak in a terrible predicament. So, four hundred and fifty thousand was already his bottom line.
"Grand Elder, regarding what you mentioned, with Spirit Stones, need one fear not having famous mentors to guide them? Need one fear not having Advanced Cultivation Techniques?"
Although Qin Xiao didn't have those things, he had many Spirit Stones. All these things had a price; if they couldn't be bought, it simply meant the price wasn't high enough.
"May this young woman be permitted to speak?"
Yun Man was also a bit undecided, so she spoke up and asked.
"Please speak."
Qin Xiao said with a confident expression.
"This young woman is very satisfied with the offers from both Peak Masters. However, I wonder if both Peak Masters could demonstrate their strength? After all, the prices you both have offered are exceptionally enticing, and this young woman truly finds it difficult to choose."
Yun Man directly stated her thoughts. She was a Heavenly Spiritual Root after all. Since they dared to bid so boldly, they should at least show some sincerity.
"I think this method is feasible. I do have an idea. Since Grand Elder and I are both determined to win, how about each of us gives you a meeting gift? Regardless of which peak you ultimately join, this meeting gift will not be taken back. How about joining the peak that gives more?"
Qin Xiao continued to bluff. Even though some time had passed, his total assets were still only five thousand Spirit Stones.
"How about this, I am of a lower generation, so I'll go first. Here are five thousand Spirit Stones, consider it my meeting gift to you. Don't worry, Grand Elder will surely give you ten thousand Spirit Stones later, and then I will give you fifteen thousand. This way, you will have a thirty thousand Spirit Stone meeting gift, which also counts as Grand Elder's support for my Seven Stars Peak."
Qin Xiao spoke these words without the slightest hint of guilt, his face full of confidence.
"Grand Elder, my sincerity has been shown. With Grand Elder's status, it surely won't be less than ten thousand Spirit Stones, right? This Disciple will thank Grand Elder in advance on behalf of my Disciple."
Qin Xiao looked at Yao Tiansheng with a smile.
"I wonder how many Spirit Stones this kid truly has. From his demeanor, he seems to want to trick this old man out of another ten thousand Spirit Stones. This old man will definitely not fall for it. Moreover, the Disciple Grand Competition is in a month. At that time, Seven Stars Peak will only have one Disciple and is bound to lose. Then, with Seven Stars Peak defeated and removed, Yun Man will naturally transfer to this old man's tutelage. There is no need to contend with him now."
Yao Tiansheng didn't answer immediately but kept calculating in his heart. Paying such a high price now was completely unnecessary.
"Since this Disciple is so persistent, then as an Elder, this old man naturally cannot take away what he desires. This old man withdraws."
After a moment of thought, Yao Tiansheng still chose to give up. After all, there would be many more opportunities later, and there was no need to pay such a high price.
"Then many thanks, Grand Elder."
Qin Xiao thanked Yao Tiansheng with a smile.
"Let's go, follow me back to Seven Stars Peak."
Qin Xiao no longer competed for other Mystic Spiritual Root Disciples. He now only wanted to see what new resources the System would unlock after he recruited a Heavenly Spiritual Root Disciple.